Experimental diabetes treated with trigonelline: effect on β cell and pancreatic oxidative parameters

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Diabetes mellitus is characterized by oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant capacity, exacerbating free radical damage.
• Trigonelline, a key component of Mirabilis jalapa L., has a history of traditional use in managing diabetes in China.
• The interplay between oxidative stress and impaired pancreatic function is a critical factor in diabetes pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential therapeutic effects of trigonelline on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, pancreatic beta-cell damage, and oxidative stress in a rat model of diabetes.
• To evaluate trigonelline's impact on key metabolic parameters and antioxidant defense mechanisms in diabetic rats.
• To compare the efficacy of trigonelline with a standard antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide.

Main Methods:

• Diabetic rat models were established using streptozotocin injection and a high-carbohydrate/high-fat diet.
• Experimental groups included normal control, diabetic control, trigonelline-treated diabetic, and glibenclamide-treated diabetic rats.
• Following a 4-week treatment period, assessments included blood glucose, serum insulin, lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides), pancreatic insulin content, and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, inducible nitric oxide synthase). Pancreatic histology was also examined.

Main Results:

• Trigonelline administration significantly reduced blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in diabetic rats.
• Treatment with trigonelline normalized pancreas-to-body weight ratio, improved insulin levels and insulin sensitivity index, and increased insulin content in the pancreas.
• Trigonelline treatment led to a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation markers (malondialdehyde, nitric oxide) and enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione) in pancreatic tissue.

Conclusions:

• Trigonelline demonstrates significant beneficial effects in managing diabetes in a rat model.
• The observed benefits are attributed to trigonelline's ability to lower blood glucose and lipid levels, enhance insulin sensitivity and secretion, and bolster the pancreas's antioxidant defense system.
• These findings suggest that trigonelline holds promise as a natural therapeutic agent for diabetes, potentially by mitigating oxidative stress and improving metabolic control.